Jackson Pro Series Spectra Bass SB V Poplar Burl Transparent Cherry Burst

This bass is a great overall package with everything I'm looking for: neck through construction, Nordstrand pickup, comfortable neck, right string spacing, and long scale length for solid B string. By the way, the scale length of the B string is nearly 35.5 inch, when set up for proper intonation. Hence, the B string is solid, rivaling most of the multi-scale 5 string basses, except for the Dingwall of course. One comment regarding the Nordstrand pickups: each of the 2 pickups is single coil, so there is hum unless the blend is in the middle. So if hum-free operation is a must, there is one tone to use, unless engaging EQ in active mode. Well, with the pickups balanced at center, the tone is nice and deep, with plenty of high and midrange. This bass slaps pretty well, even for a 5 string. The weight balance is pretty good, with no noticeable neck dive in most orientations no greater than 30 degrees neck elevation. I end up settling with GHS Boomer nickel strings, which seems to match this bass well for tone and feel. The only thing I would deduct from a perfect score is the bridge mechanism: it is not very easy to adjust the string height or intonation. This design is pretty old, and there are much superior bridge design nowadays. But once set, it does hold up pretty well. It's a shame we don't see more of this bass getting used. It is a splendid bass design at a competitive price. I'm gonna keep mine for the foreseeable future.

I had to work on the bass for a while because all of the tuning keys were loose and all the control knobs were loose too. The individual bridge setup is a wonderful idea but poorly spaced. I had to modify the bride saddle for the G string to get the action as low as I wanted. After all of that fixing up, the bass is a MONSTER. I highly recommend it as long as you're a professional guitar tech, like myself, and know what you're doing.

I have been shopping for a 5 string for a while , I just wanted a 4 , 5 and 6 string collection . This is my only 5 string when I saw the specs and switches I wa s just hoping it really worked as advertised. it exceeded my expectations ,.. well balanced and relatively light in weight with no nose diving . The construction sustains the tone very well and lets it ring out. The passive active switch is handy to have not only for battery loss if but allows you another tone option to be totally honest in conjunction with the 3 way EQ switch . When you set the eq from the flat position to some extremes you can really have a versatility without needing a pedal and even more enhancing with pedal useage. The appearance is also elegant I have the sunburst design with the gold knobs and the pick ups are awesome . I'm blown away . I only had to tune it up outta the box set up was good Rewound mine with D' addario flat wounds with only minor adjustments. I was shocked that the adjustment clips didnt just fall of like some do from the factory.. The first unit I purchased had a faulty active / passive switch and Guitar center ordered me another that arrived at my home within 48 hours Christmas week !! Thats super service. I was impressed . Ive purchased 4 Basses from GC and never been disappointed in what I got. . I'm a Schecter guy mainly , this unit weighs less than my Schecter 4 string Stilletto . The spacing for the strings is great and not cramped at all. As I said this is a great unit, I researched Jackson as owned by Fender . All I can say is you will not be disappointed.. After all my research on features etc while shopping for about 9 days in a rabbit whole of online information..( which was all good and plenteous ) I'm glad I pulled the trigger and I'm just touching the tip of the iceberg of possibilities .

After the initial COVID lockdown I landed a gig where I had to have a 5 string bass. So like a red blooded American I took my cash down to the local GC store to buy a fender 5 string American jazz. There wasn't any. I looked for an Ibenez. There wasn't any. I looked for anything and we'll there wasn't any. As the date grew near for our first show, I happened in and they had this one. I was disappointed that this was all there was, but out of desperation, I bought it thinking I would trade it once something I wanted became available. It took me about two months and 10 gigs later when I realized I love this thing. 9 months in and I don't know how many dates later, I wouldn't want to live without it. It plays awesome after a quick and minor setup on the action. The tone is big on the bottom and the mids and highs are as shapable as you want. It is a dream to play and guess what, when I finally got to put my hands on the fender I wanted, I didn't want it anymore. This bass is very much like the high end Ibenez basses. Probably too much for Ibenez's liking actually. I run through a 800w mark bass head with a 2x10 cab and a 1x15 cab. It sounds incredible. The big thing for me is when I run through my amp using the direct out in bypass, it sounds amazing. It is like having a sans amp in the bass. The electrics are that good. I have gotten tons of compliments on the tone and questions about how I got it. I literally just plugged it in. Also I can play it all night and even though it is a five, I am less fatigued then when I play the four fender American jazz I already own. The string spacing and scale I believe is responsible for that. If you are serious about playing a 5 string, at any level, then this bass is one you should look at. I am not super crazy about the esthetics but I get a surprising amount of complements on it. So if that is your thing then rock on I guess. I am getting over the fact that I was a fender snob. Also I believe Jackso is made by fender sooo….

I've had Ibanez bass guitars for many years and while not looking for a Jackson bass this bass just got my attention immediately and honestly this bass hits every box in tone, appearance and price!